Page 123 of Shy Girls Can't Date Rockstars
“Thank you,” I say again, “for fixing it.”
“Anytime.” Ryder shifts beside me, stretching his long legs out. “Though I have to say, this room is...”
“Depressing?” I offer.
He looks around properly, taking in the dark furniture, the stone walls, and the heavy curtains. “I was going to say ‘atmospheric,’ but yeah, depressing works too.”
“I wish this room felt more like mine. Like me. But I don’t know where to start.”
Ryder’s gaze lands on the paintings hanging above my bed. The twisted, skeletal trees against stormy skies. “Do those bother you?”
I follow his gaze and feel the familiar tightness in my chest. “Yeah. They do.”
“Then let’s take them down.”
He’s already standing before I can respond, moving toward the bed with purpose. Without ceremony, Ryder lifts the largest of the twisted tree paintings off its hooks and leans it against the wall, facing away from the bed. “You’re supposed to be living here, right? Why not make your room feel like you?”
“Have you done that?” I ask. “Made your room feel like yours?”
“I’m maintaining guest status,” he replies, moving to the second painting. “I’m not living here. I’m staying in a guest room.”
“Right, because you have a family to go back to.”
He pauses, his hands on the second frame, and looks back at me. Something vulnerable flashes across his face. “Yeah. I do.”
He takes down the other disturbing painting and turns it to face the wall beside its companion. The room isn’t magically welcoming now, but there’s a weight lifted from my shoulders.
“Better?” Ryder asks, surveying his work.
“So much better,” I whisper, feeling like I can take a full breath in this room for the first time.
He turns back to me, hands on his hips, looking satisfied. “The room already feels bigger without those God-awful paintings dragging down the vibe. Did you want me to replace them with something?”
My gaze drops to my suitcases that sit by the armoire. “I didn’t bring a lot with me.” My hand digs around behind me and retrieves Ellie from between the pillows. “Except Ellie.”
Ryder smirks, waving at the blue stuffed elephant. “Hi Ellie. Another childhood memento?”
“Yes. She’s good for hugs.”
“I’m glad you have something from home that’s comforting.”
I nod, smoothing my hand across Ellie’s plush fabric. “Me too. Most of my stuff is in my old neighbors’ garage.”
He gestures at the painting-free wall. “At least this is a start at making this place feel like home.”
“How do I decorate without them?” The question comes out hoarse, my vision blurring with sudden tears.
Ryder shifts closer. “What do you mean?”
“Starting over?” My voice cracks. “I don’t want to start over. I don’t want to act like it’s okay they’re gone.”
“It’s not okay. No one said it was okay.”
I look up at him, blinking tears away to see the sympathy on his face as he sits on the bed beside me.
“But you’re brave, Alice.”
I scoff. “Brave? I’m the girl scared of thunder, remember?”
